Summer 2024 Part 2.

  

 

Video Games

Living life is all about diverse experiences. Hobbies do make the world go around. There are running clubs, cooking clubs, gym clubs, book clubs, and video game clubs that instill the values of camaraderie, friendship, competition, joy, and peaceful coexistence. Entertainment comes in many forms and manifestations. From music to movies, we have witnessed how entertainment has changed the world for good or ill. A video game or a computer game is an electronic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device (like a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device) to generate visual feedback from a display device (like in a video format on a TV set, computer monitor, flat panel display or touchscreen, handheld devices, or a ritual reality headset). Most video games use audiovisuals with audio complement using speakers or headphones. Some video games also allow microphone and webcam inputs for in game chatting and livestreaming. Likewise, video games have shown a similar legacy. Video games can inspire community, creativity, and the essence of STEM culture. Bringing jobs, hope, and positive energy are legacies of the technology in video games. Others have exploited the genre of video games to promote bigotry on online platforms and a detachment from society. We know about the vicious incels who promote sexist lies like all women only want thugs, and every woman is in a conspiracy to harm men. The truth is that I know tons of women in real life who represent honesty, progressive thought, compassion, empathy, and courage. Those folks with misogynistic views need to heal, get help, get wisdom, and move forward with their lives without hatred of women period. Still, the vast majority of video game users and fans desire the sacrosanct qualities of joy to be expressed in a fundamentally just way in society. PlayStation, X-Box, Sega, and other platforms brought a lot of people together to enhance their lives for years and decades. Some video games are meant to be utilized by children, and debates about video games (like violence, other graphic images, language, etc.) are commonplace, even today. There must be a balance. There is nothing wrong with playing video games at times as long as your other responsibilities in life are honored and fulfilled. In our lives, we will continue to put things into context to make sure that video games are used to improve our overall society in general. 

The Origin of Video Games

When did video games start? Video games were started by scientists using research projects. By 1952, British professor A.S. Douglas created OXO. This was known as noughts and crosses or a tic-tac-toe game. It was part of his doctoral dissertation at the University of Cambridge. In 1958, William Higinbotham created "Tennis for Two" on a large analog computer. He connected the oscilloscope screen for the annual visitor's day at the Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York. In 1962, Steve Russell at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology invented Spacewar!, a computer-based space combat video game for the PDP-1 (Programmed Data Processor-1), then a cutting-edge computer mostly found at universities. It was the first video game that could be played on multiple computer installations. Later, we saw a new era during the start of the creation of the home console. In 1967, developers at Sanders Associates, Inc., led by Ralph Baer, invented a prototype multiplayer, multi-program video game system that could be played on a television. It was known as “The Brown Box.”

The first consumer video game was the arcade video was called Computer Space in 1971. Baer, who is sometimes referred to as Father of Video Games, licensed his device to Magnavox, which sold the system to consumers as the Odyssey, the first video game home console, in 1972. Over the next few years, the old school Odyssey console would commercially fizzle and die out. Yet, one of the Odyssey’s 28 games was the inspiration for Atari’s Pong, the first arcade video game, which the company released in 1972. Pong is similar to table tennis. In 1975, Atari released a home version of Pong, which was as successful as its arcade counterpart. Bushnell and Dabney formed Atari, Inc. Magnavox, along with Sanders Associates, would later sue Atari for copyright infringement. They settled and became an Odyssey license for over the next 20 years. Magnavox went on to win more than $100 million in copyright lawsuits related to the Odyssey and its video game patents. In 1977, Atari released the Atari 2600 or the Video Computer System). Atari 2600 is a home console that featured joysticks and interchangeable game cartridges that played multi-colored games, effectively kicking off the second generation of video game consoles. By the late 1970's and the early 1980's, more innovations existed in video games. There was the release of Space Invaders arcade game in 1979, there was the launch of Activision, the first third-party game developer (which develops software without making consoles or arcade cabinets), in 1979, and Pac was introduced in America (it was huge in Japan previously). Nintendo created Donkey Kong, which introduced the world to the character of Mario. Microsoft's release of its first Flight Simulator game. 

The 1980's and the 1990's

There was the crash of the North American video game industry in 1983 because of many reasons. The reasons for this reality were that there was an oversaturated game console market, competition from computer gaming, and a surplus of over-hyped, low-quality games, such as the infamous E.T., an Atari game based on the eponymous movie. Many people didn't like that video game. There was a bankruptcy of many home computer and video game console companies. The video game home industry began to recover in 1985 when the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES), called Famicom in Japan, came to the United States. The NES had improved 8-bit graphics, colors, sound, and gameplay over previous consoles.

Nintendo, a Japanese company that began as a playing card manufacturer in 1989, released several important video game franchises still around today, such as Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, and Metroid. Additionally, Nintendo imposed various regulations on third-party games developed for its system, helping to combat rushed, low-quality software. Third-party developers released many other long-lasting franchises, such as Capcom’s Mega Man, Konami’s Castlevania, Square’s Final Fantasy, and Enix’s Dragon Quest (Square and Enix would later merge to form Square Enix in 2003). In 1989, Nintendo made waves again by popularizing handheld gaming with the release of its 8-bit Game Boy video game device and the often-bundled game Tetris. Over the next 25 years, Nintendo would release some successful successors to the Game Boy, including the Game Boy Color in 1998, Nintendo DS in 2004, and Nintendo 3DS in 2011.

The 1990's saw an increase of console wars along with the modern-day World Wide Web Internet system. The Internet has been around since the 1960's (with DAPRA, etc.), but the World Wide Web was invented in 1990. The 1980's and the 1990's saw the golden age of arcades of places where large video games were played in various locations. I remember during the 1990's playing many arcades in Virginia. The famous Computer game of Solitaire came about in 1990. Solitaire is still one of the most popular electronic games of all time found in computers, cell phones, and other devices worldwide today. Sonic the Hedgehog of the Sega game system in 1991 has inspired TV shows and movies for generations. Military strategy games were innovated from the 1992 game of Dune II from Westwood Studios. The video game rating system was created after the 1993 game of Mortal Kombat and other games where graphic violence was presented. A new era of the video game era was when Sony released the game system of PlayStation in 1995. The easy-to-use hand device and simplistic console device made it a huge hit among people of all ages. Back then, it sold for $100 less than Sega Saturn. Nintendo 64 came out in 1996. The term 64 in Nintendo 64 relates to 64 bits. The controversial video game of Tomb Raider existed in 1996. Critics back then claimed that the video game promoted sexism. In 1997, IBM's supercomputer chess program Deep Blue defeated world champion Gary Kasparov in a match. One of the most popular video games was Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time in 1998. In 1999, Sony Online Entertainment's Everquest led many users to play in the multiplayer online world of Norrath. The 1980's and the 1990's saw the rise of sports-related video games too. Konami's Track and Field was a video game that deals with Olympic track and field events (like the 100m dash, the long jump, javelin throw, hammer throw, high jump, and 110m hurdles) allowing up to four players to compete. Soccer games existed back in the 1980's too. Electronic Arts promoted John Madden Football in Sega Genesis. Madden Football in 1990 was released by Orr and Hilleman. In the 21st century, sports games are dominated by EA Sports and 2K Sports. EA has Madden NFL series, the NHL series, the PGA tour series, F1 series, and the NBA Live Series. 2K has NBA 2K, PGA Tour 2K, and WWE 2K series. Nintendo has sports games too that relate to the Mario Brothers like Mario Sports Mix, Mario Golf, etc. 

New Technologies of the 21st Century

By the 2000's, the video game landscape has changed. There was more online play in dealing with consoles and computers. By the year of 2000, we have the Sims computer games. Will Wright's The Sims try to model real-life people and landscapes. There were simulation games before The Sims, but The Sims became a very potent best-selling computer game. The Sims is still played by tons of people to this very day. PlayStation 2 was also released in Japan on March 4, 2000, on October 26, 2000, in North America, November 24, 2000, in Europe, and in Australia on November 30, 2000. PlayStation 2 was a game changer, and it was a sixth-generation console competing against Nintendo's GameCube, Sega's Dreamcast, and Microsoft Xbox. PlayStation 2 sold over 155 million units worldwide, nearly triple the combined sales of its competing consoles (being the bestselling video game console of all time). I remember playing on PlayStation 2 over 2 decades ago. Sony started to develop PlayStation 2 in 1999. The P2 too had backward compatibility for its predecessor's DualShock controller, as well as its games. P2 was the first PlayStation video game with a built in DVD player and Internet connectivity. P2 had a 64-bit engine that was created by Sony and Toshiba, Emotion Engine CPUR, graphics synthesizer, I/O processor, Scratchpad memory controller, motherboard, etc. PlayStation produced P2 until 2013. 

In 2001, Microsoft entered the video game market with Xbox. Many love their Halo: Combat Evolved. Later in 2005, there was Xbox 360 with advanced graphics, seamless online play, and millions of fans worldwide. In 2002, the U.S. Army created America's Army video game to gain new recruits and talk with a new generation of electronic gamers. Steam is a PC gaming distribution platform that allows players to download, play, and update games. The 2004 handheld video game Nintendo DS was easy to use and had multiplayer capacities plus a stylus for the touchscreen. Super Mario Kart DS helped with the gaming system too. I remember when Nintthe endo Wii came about in 2006 that allows people to have motion sensitive remotes for sports, music, etc. In 2007, Rock Band allows people to use a guitar, microphone, and bass or drums to play music from Harmonix.  In 2008, the World of Warcraft was popular in Massively Multiplayer Online games, Farmville was a great mobile game, and Angry Birds are found on iPhone and Facebook. 

Video Games in the 2010's relied on new game consoles, smartphones, and VR devices too. In almost everyone's smartphones, there is a video game or a form of entertainment apps. One of the most popular video games of all time is Minecraft from 2010. This game was built by the Swedish developer Markus Persson. In 2011, Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure became the first augmented reality hit by letting players place plastic figures on a Portal of Power to zap characters into the game. In 2013, Disney Infinity joined the ranks of toy video game hybrids. In 2012, the Crowdfunding site Kickstarter gave game creators to raise millions of dollars to produce new and experimental play platforms like the OUYA console and the Oculus Rift. By 2013, more adult mature types of video games existed like Gone Home, The Last of Us and Papers, Please with emotional choices in ethically complex worlds. There are free-to-play systems with games like CrossFire, World of Tanks, etc. Many people use microtransaction payments for in-game items and premium content. In 2015, the online video streaming service of Twitch grew. eSports had 36 million viewers watch The League of Legends World Championship. That rivals and surpasses the viewership of some of the most popular athletic events in the world. The Niantic's free-to-play hit was the game of Pokémon Go. Players have to look for virtual creatures in the game like Pikachu and Horsea. It was very popular during the summer of 2016. In 2017, smartphones and tablets are more popular as gaming platforms. So, Nintendo's Switch existed as a hybrid that merges mobile and console experiences. This innovative system allows players to take hit games like Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey with them wherever they go. In 2018, there was the Mircosoft Xbox Adaptive Controller making gaming on Xbox One consoles and Windows 10 PCs more accessible for players with limited mobility. It has 2 large programmable buttons, and 10 jacks empower players to connect additional switches, joysticks, and other assistive devices to customize the way they play their favorite games. In 2019, millions of players watched a virtual asteroid destroy the map of Epic Games' massively popular online battle royale game Fortnite. The game earned a large $2 billion in 2019. Later, there was a new map called Fortnite: Chapter 2. In the year of 2020, we had the start of the global pandemic, starting in November of 2019 and spreading worldwide by early 2020. Many people played games like Crossing: New Horizons, Among Us, and Fall Guys. These games allow people to connect with friends and others via mobile phones, computers, and consoles. Grand Theft Auto is one of the most popular and controversial video games of all time. GTA was released back on November 28, 1997, when I was a teenager, and its last release was shown in November 2021 called Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy (The Definitive Edition). GTA is an action-adventure video game that was created by David Jones and Mike Dailly. Other people were involved like Dan and Sam Houser (who are brothers), Leslie Benzies, and Aaron Garbut. It was developed by the British development house of Rockstar North. It was published by its American parent company called Rockstar Games. The game is about an open world where the player can complete missions to progress an overall story like various side activities. Its focus has been on cities like San Francisco, Miami, and New York City. The game isn't meant for kids filled with adult themes and adult imagery.  In 2021, the first video game to win a prestigious Hugo Award for science fiction is called Hades. In 2022, The New York Times brought Wordie after the five-letter guessing game goes viral. 

We can't underestimate the legacy of the Madden video game series. Madden is probably the most popular sports video game series of all time being named after the iconic football coach John Madden. Now, the franchise sold more 130 million copies as of 2018. Since 2004, it has been the only officially licensed National Football League (NFL) video game series. It has influenced many players and coaches of football. As of 2013, Madden has generated over 4 billion dollars in sales, making it one of the most profitable video game franchises on the market. The game started as John Madden Football released by Electronic Arts in 1988 with the cover of an energetic John Madden. Back then, the graphics were grainier, but it had customizable gameplay and conditions of weather (like hot, rain, snow, cold, and windy). It had quarters, player fatigue, and injuries plus penalties. People can create teams and other components were included in its cosmology. In 1989, Madden was released for both PC and Commodore 64. The 1990 Madden version, released also for the SNES and Amiga, adds audibles, and password-saved games. For the first time ever in a football video game, the camera or perspective is played from above and behind the quarterback rather than from the side right to left, and vice versa. It only had 16 teams, loosely based on real NFL teams as well as an All-Madden team was included as a bonus. By 1991, Madden was released for PC and consoles. It had new features like larger playbooks, and commentary including coaching from John Madden on classic football components like Play Action Pass. There was an upgrade of VGA graphics and the use of Adlib audio. In 1992, an ambulance would run over any players in its path on Madden. From 1992 to 1994, Mega placed the game at #1 in their monthly Top 100 Mega Drive Games of All Time.

After Visual Concepts failed to deliver Madden NFL '96 for the new PlayStation in 1995, EA hired Tiburon Entertainment for Madden NFL '97 and later acquired the company, centralizing development in-house. It planned to release John Madden Football as its first sports-based arcade game, but the game was cancelled due to unenthusiastic reactions from play testers. EA's refusal to release Madden and other sports titles for the Dreamcast in 1999 contributed to the console's lack of success and Sega's exit from the hardware market. By 1996, Madden was the best-selling sports video game franchise, with more than eight million units sold up until then. In 1997, EA hired Tiburon Entertainment for Madden NFL ’97 and later acquired by EA, centralizing development in-house. It planned to release John Madden Football as its first sports-based arcade game, but the game was canceled due to unenthusiastic reactions from play testers. 

In 1998, Electronic Arts added "Franchise Mode" to Madden Football, giving players the ability to play multiple seasons, make off-season draft picks, and trade players. Within Franchise Mode, players take on the role of general manager and manage all personnel matters, including contracts, free agency, draft picks, and hiring and firing coaches. The player also acts as a head coach-like character (although there is a head coach figure in-game), choosing which players to play, making substitutions, running practices, practicing gameplans, etc. Players may play with any of the NFL's 32 franchises; they can choose whether or not to have trade deadlines and salary caps and if they want to start their franchise with a 49-round fantasy draft of all active NFL players. Players can also upload created teams for use in the game.

Once in game, players run training camp (individual drills for improving players' attributes), play in preseason games, and compete in a regular 16-game NFL season, including playoffs and the Super Bowl. The player has the option to play any game in the simulation, including those involving other teams if they so desire, or may simulate through the games as they choose. Most versions of Madden give a player 30 years with their franchise, sometimes with an opportunity to apply for the Hall of Fame at the end of the simulation. Throughout the history of Franchise Mode, there have been many issues and glitches including data corruption, gameplay bugs, and developer mistakes. Franchise Mode is one of Madden's most consistently criticized game modes yearly. 

Madden NFL 2000 was the first Madden to have a play editor, arcade mode, and the Madden Challenge. The game was released on August 31, 1999, for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation, Game Boy, Nintendo 64, and Classic Mac OS. The cover athletes were former Raiders Coach John Madden and the Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders in the background. This was the second Madden to have someone besides John Madden on the cover. Madden NFL 2001 featured a segment called "Great Games" where one would be put in a situation where they control one team and would have to win the game within a set amount of time. If the player wins, they unlock either a new team or a stadium. Overall, there were more than 60 teams and over 80 stadiums in Madden NFL 2001. Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George is the cover athlete. Madden NFL video games in the 21st century had innovations like Smart Route, QB Vision, Lead Blocker Controls, and Highlight Stick. 

Madden NFL 23 was announced with head coach John Madden as the cover star on Madden Day (June 1, 2022, the same day the series' first installment, John Madden Football, was released) in honor of his legacy after his passing on December 28, 2021. The cover of the next gen version is a picture of Madden celebrating his victory as the head coach of the Oakland Raiders at Super Bowl XI. The All-Madden Edition is based on the cover of the series' 1st installment, John Madden Football, made by Chuck Styles. The recent Madden NFL 25 video game has new features like BOOM Tech, which EA called a "dynamic physics-based tackling system that unlocks the re-engineered Hit Stick and a new level of ball carrier control" in its official press release. EA Sports also introduced new commentary teams for Madden 25 in the form of Mike Tirico and Greg Olsen, as well as Kate Scott and Brock Huard. It will have Superstar Mode, Ultimate Team, and online head-to-head play. Madden NFL 25 will be released worldwide for PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as PC on Aug. 16, 2024, but those who purchase the deluxe edition or the MVP bundle can begin playing on Aug. 13.

 

 

The Necessity of Balance

There are two common lies promoted about video game culture. You have one deception promoted by many people who believe that anyone who plays video games regularly includes people who are just incels, lacks emotional intelligence, and are threats to society. This lie is very commonly embraced, even in 2024. The truth is that people of every background and color own, play, and watch people play video games with sober mindedness, great emotional intelligence, and a sense of purpose in life. The reality is that all people aren't meant to act, think, and behave the same. Everyone looking and acting the same makes a very dull society. Our differences make us strong, and diversity is part of our strength as human beings. People ought to respect our differences in a free and open society. People have the right to embrace gaming progressively if he or she desires too. Some of the greatest people in the world are known for embracing and participating in gaming culture. The other lie is that some want to make video games part of their whole personalities. There is such a thing as an unhealthy obsession. Therefore, we should have balance in life which means having time for gaming, working, other leisure activities, visiting relatives, reading, exercising, and diverse activities. We are human beings, and our interests are multifaceted from being involved in listening to music and voting during election times. We live in a new generation where truth is readily available. We know what works. If you want to live a longer, healthier life (decreasing the risks of dementia, heart disease, and other illnesses), any human being must read more, exercise, eat healthy foods, establish social connections with human beings, stimulate your minds with diverse activities (like art, drawing, writing, swimming, traveling, reading literature, etc.), enjoy your leisure time with hobbies that you desire to do, and reduce stress.  

 

Conventions

Video Game conventions and tournaments are very commonplace in our generation. The people who join many movements are human beings of every background and ethnicity. There is the OtuakuFest in Miami lasting from May 17-19, 2024. This is about anime, comics, and games being promoted and celebrated in the Florida city of Miami. Such conventions help people to develop social skills, build friendships, increase human camaraderie, and even build romance. Amine culture has increased in popularity in the past 10-15 years. Many people wear costumes to express their love of anime and video game culture in general. There are a lot of couples in real life who enjoy video games, comics, and science fiction motifs. There is the future New York Comic Con taking place from October 17-20, 2024. Some video game tournaments take place in either arenas or online. Many such tournaments allow users to be paid money for them to participate in them. One such platform is called GameChampions that is a genuine platform that offers a legitimate opportunity for games to earn money for their skills. 

 

Conclusion

In terms of video games, they have changed the world in incredible ways. It shows the incredible human imagination and intellect involving the creation of imagery, graphics, and storylines that have inspired people for generations. Computing systems have existed for millennia, but modern-day video games have existed for a few decades. Learning about computer science, graphics, and other STEM subjects will cause a video game to be complex and potent in its cosmology. Back in the day, video games were highly expensive, and reserved mostly for upper-middle-class and rich people during the 1970's. By the 1980's, video games had become more affordable for all people. The paradox of video games is that the more profits that companies have from selling video games, the more complex that exists as time goes on. We went from Pong to Minecraft. We went from arcades in various locations to virtual reality headsets that allow human beings to enact video gaming systems. In the 21st century, diverse people of every color embrace video game culture, anime, music culture, and various conventions that celebrate the art of video games. Balance is one key fact of the Universe. People have the right to use video games, but we shouldn't let video games define every personality characteristic of our lives. Our human lives relate to love, family, jobs, diverse hobbies, and other functions of human living. 

 

Country Music Part 1

Part of intellectual growth is about studying new kinds of facts pertaining to life. Country music has been part of American culture for over 100 years. I wrote about R&B music, pop music, rock and roll music, and gospel music. Today, it's time to write about a different genre of country music. I like to research information, and this is a new challenge that I will enjoy experiencing new journeys. Many human beings know about country music's history, culture, legacy, and lyrical content. Yet, other people, even many Americans, don't know a single thing about country music. Many people don't know its origins and compositions. This is where we come in to show people the truth about country music's multifaceted styles. I wrote this piece of prose of this work specifically for people of every color to understand the historical flow of country music from its inception to modern times (in 2024 near the 2024 Paris Olympics). The rural culture has inspired tons of country music artists and human beings in general from the architecture of farming to cowboy living. Cowboys existed among men and women of every color spanning over 150 years in the Old West. Back then, cowboys had to handle cattle, build lands, and develop communities prodigiously. Today, the rural area remains one large cultural heartbeat of American society just like in urban locations. Rural and urban lands help to build our economy, give diversity in our souls, and make us aware of our interrelated values as human beings. Cowboys exist now as well. This new series will cover artists from Reba McIntyre to Beyonce Knowles-Carter (who's new 2024 country music album Cowboy Carter has been groundbreaking in its genre-merging content). Cowboy Carter has inspired a new generation to embrace the diverse nature of country music. Also, it is important to recognize unsung country artists who are just as important as people we know like Garth Brooks, Charlie Pride, Hootie and the Blowfish, Brooks and Dunn, and Shawna Twain. The fundamental truth is real country music is meant for everyone, regardless of your background. This work will prove that 100 percent. 

The Genesis of Country Music

Country music is like a river. It expands into different streams and in various locations, but it has the same origin. Country music was invented in America with influences from African people, Europeans, and other groups of people. By the 17th century, Europeans and Africans had folktales, folk songs, and instruments (like the banjo that came from Africa), and Indigenous people had their own folkways too. Folkways continued to exist in the 18th century. By the 19th century, folk music changed. As diverse people traveled, the folk music with instruments from Europe, Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin developed into Appalachian music. America expanded rapidly throughout the North American continent via trade, expansion, and controversy (as tons of American expansion was done by theft, colonialism, and violations of treaties with Native Americans). Folk music traveled westward into the Mississippi River and Louisiana. These areas were a place of massive country music, and these places gave rise to Cajun music.  In the Southwestern United States, it was the Rocky Mountains, American frontier, and Rio Grande that acted as a similar backdrop for Native American, Mexican, and cowboy ballads, which resulted in New Mexico music and the development of Western music, and it is directly related to Red Dirt, Texas country, and Tejano music styles. In the Asia-Pacific, the steel guitar sound of country music has its provenance in the music of Hawaii. By the late 1800's and early 1900's, opera, gospel, and folk music were common genres of American society. The Fisk Jubilee Singers were singing Swing Low Sweet Chariot by 1909, and the folklorist Cecil Sharp published his study of English Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians back in 1917. Modern-day country music as we know it is found in the South, and according to the U.S. Congress, it formally recognized Bristol, Tennessee as the Birthplace of Country Music. That is based on the historic Bristol recording sessions of 1927. Yet, there were recordings of country music artists before 1927. For example, the Victor and Okeh recording companies begin recording the first country music artists. Fiddler Eck Robertson records "Arkansas Traveler" and "Sallie Gooden" for Victor Records, becoming the first pure country music artist to make a recording. This was in 1922. In 1924, the WLS Radio in Chicago introduced the National Barn Dance on April 19, 1924. 

Many scholars consider Jimmie Rodgers (or James Charles Rodgers) the Father of Country Music. He lived from September 8, 1897, to May 26, 1933, as a singer, songwriter, and musicians. He used his distinctive yodeling. People have called The Singing Brakeman and America's Blue Yodeler. He was born in Meridian, Mississippi. The Country Music Hall of Fame inducted Rodgers among the inaugural class of 1961. Rodgers was the first artist inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Rodgers was a major influence in the development of Country and Western styles of popular music. That is why country music artists Gene Autry, Jimmie Davis, and western swing singer Tomy Duncan were heavily influenced by Jimmie Rodgers. 

Cowboy Songs was recorded by Victor Records in August 1925 by Carl T. Sprague. "When the Work's All Done This Fall" became a hit in 1925. By 1927, Ralph Peer of Victor Records began recording a local family act, The Carter Family, in Bristol, Tennessee. A. P. Carter, his wife, Sara, and sister-in-law Maybelle made more than 250 recordings in the next 14 years. The Singing Brakeman, Jimmie Rodgers, is also discovered at Bristol. In addition, the Mountain City Fiddlers Convention, held in 1925, helped to inspire modern country music. Before these, pioneer settlers, in the Great Smoky Mountains region, had developed a rich musical heritage. This era of the 1920's was the first generation of modern-day country music. Music in Atlanta had artists like James Gideon "Gid" Tanner. He had a band called The Skillet Lickers that presented innovative and influential music in string bands of the 1920's and the 1930's. 

New Eras Arising

The second generation of country music existed from the 1930's to the 1940's. Radio was a major way on how country music was shown to the public. There were barn dance shows featuring country music all over the South (they existed as far north as Chicago and as far west as California). The most important was the Grand Ole Opry, aired starting in 1925 by WSM in Nashville and continuing to the present day. During the 1930s and 1940s, cowboy songs, or Western music, which had been recorded since the 1920s, were popularized by films made in Hollywood, many featuring Gene Autry, who was known as the king of the "singing cowboys," and Hank Williams. Bob Wills was another country musician from the Lower Great Plains who had become very popular as the leader of a "hot string band," and who also appeared in Hollywood westerns. His mix of country and jazz, which started out as dance hall music, would become known as Western swing. Wills was one of the first country musicians known to have added an electric guitar to his band, in 1938. Country musicians began recording boogie in 1939, shortly after it had been played at Carnegie Hall, when Johnny Barfield recorded "Boogie Woogie." Dorothy Dandridge and her friends did Boogie Woogie cowboy music when they were very young. 

He was DeFord Bailey.

The grandson of enslaved African Americans, harmonica player DeFord Bailey rose to prominence in the 1920's. He was the very first performer introduced on the Grand Ole Opry stage when it started in 1927. Bailey was a virtuoso playing and mimic train sounds on the harmonica. Country music in the 1940's had many dynamic changes. From 1940 to 1945, the Special Service Division of the U.S. military introduced hillbilly bands to a wide audience of soldiers in the USO shows Honky tonk, bluegrass, and other country standards spread across the world. By 1942, Roy Acuff and Fred Rose created Acuff-Rose Publishing. In 1942, Ernest Tubb's recording of Walking the Floor Over You made him an overnight sensation that promoted honky-tonk. Republic Studios called Roy Rogers the King of the Cowboys, producing a film by the same name. In 1945, Nashville, Tennessee became the center for country music, but country music culture is found across America plus throughout the world. In 1947, Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys recorded the record of "Blue Moon of Kentucky." This was one of the major examples of the new bluegrass style of country music. By 1948, KWKH radio in Shreveport, Louisiana introduced Louisiana Hayride to the airwaves. By 1950, Country music, radio, and movie star Gene Autry moved to television with the Gene Autry Show. Roy Rogers promoted the Roy Rogers Show in 1951. From 1954 to 1955, Elvis Presley promoted rock and roll music via Sun Record sessions. He also promoted his version of Blue Moon of Kentucky. By the 1950's, there were rockabilly artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Conway Twitty, Buddy Holly, and the Everly Brothers started to record hit after hit. Cowboy films were promoted by Dale Evans, Rogers's wife, the Sons of the Pioneers, and Spade Cooley. Lefty Frizzell had great popularity in country music in the 1950's. By the 1950's, the Nashville sound movement existed with artists like Eddy Arnold, Jim Reeves, and Jim Ed Brown. Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and Webb Pierce of Bakersfield, California were found on honky-tonk bars in California. 

Epilogue

Country music has a long history spanning eons of time. There was the banjo played by black people (which has been talked about by country music scholars Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons) in America that influenced the creation of country music. Country music since its inception was expressed by Americans of every color. Lesley Riddle was a black blues and gospel guitar player who influenced the distinctive sound of the Carter Family (who are called the First Family of Country Music in the 1920's). Hank Williams learned his craft from the black guitar player Rufus "Tee Tot" Payne during the 1930's. Johnny Cash learned from the black musician Gus Cannon later on. Music from Appalachia and the West also influenced the development of gospel music too.  Country music is purely American in origin, but its influence is worldwide. Many people in many countries are fans of country music and create country music in their own right. Throughout the journey of life, music has inspired the minds and souls of humanity. Today, country music still motivates people to be introspective about life. Readily, music can never shy away from challenges, and seek love as a great virtue to incorporate in daily life. 

 

Fashion Part 2: The Middle Ages's Period of Fashion Worldwide

 

Many of the same fashion styles in 2024 are similar to the fashion styles of the past. There is an interrelated nature among human beings as it relates to culture. For example, we desire to love our families, to seek justice, and to develop wisdom about the cosmos. Fashion changed massively from 500 to 1500 A.D. during the Middle Ages. After the end of the Roman Empire, the many Chinese dynasties developed, and the growth of the Mound cultures of America were in existence, fashion also changed. People wore more clothes that dealt with the bliaud, which was a dress worn by people. There was the hennin in the 14th and 15th centuries. The hennin is a cone-like hate that looks similar to the spires of the cathedral spire. Tunics were won by businesspeople and the wealthy during the Medieval period too. Many middle-class and poor people wore certain people too. More elaborate pieces of armor were worn too by soldiers in Europe, Africa, Asia, and in the Middle East (where much of the Crusades existed). By this time in world history, we saw the expansion of the religion of Islam (this religion was created by Muhammad in the 600's A.D. in Saudi Arabia), the spread of the Black Plague (it was like the pandemic that originated years ago), and the Spanish development of culture by many Muslims. There were the ruff and farthingale worn by many human beings during that era of time. In Africa, there were diverse fabrics and diverse fashions filled with gold, hats, and elaborate clothing too. 

After the Classical Period

The Middle Ages of world human history lasted from 500 to 1500 AD. This era of time saw the expansion of Kingdoms in the world, the growth of agriculture, the increased spread of the religion of various creeds, and the expansion of international trade (including from the Great Silk Road). Many scholars have called this time the Post Classical Era. Trade networks among regions began to increase. We saw the spread of international religions like Christianity spreading in Europe (some people forget that early Christians were heavily persecuted in Europe and throughout the world in vicious ways), Islam spreading into Asia, Europe, and Africa, and Buddhism spreading in Asia too. We saw the split of the Catholic Church in Western Europe and the Eastern Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe which facilitated more religious and cultural diversity in the world. The Islamic Empire grew from Saudi Arabia to North Africa, southern Spain, and parts of the Middle East. The Mound Cultures, the Inca, Aztecs, and Mayan civilizations were the Americas. The sub-Saharan cultures of Ghana, Mali, and Songhai had infrastructure, religious institutions, governments, and universities. Gunpowder was formed in China and the Mongol Empire was from Europe to the Middle East The world's population doubled during this time from ca. 210 million people in 500 A.D. to 461 million in 1500 A.D. There was the Plague of Justinian, the Mongol invasions, the Black Death, and the Crusades (which was a battle of territories between Europeans and Muslims). Empires spread in Africa and other parts of the world too. While tunics were very common in the Middle Ages, there were variation of tunics back then too. 

As time went on during the Middle Ages, we saw more colors being found in garments, belts, dresses, and other accessories being more complex. By this time of world history, migration of culture including fashion was commonplace. Many rulers had scepters and crowns. Linens and amulets were very prominent and displayed by Vikings, African peoples, and the Kingdoms of China too. Like in ancient times, nobles, kings, queens, working-class people, and poor people had different styles of clothing. For example, an Anglo-Saxon King wore a silk tunic, and the King of the Mali Empire wore clothing with advanced clothes and gold items. Gold, diamond, and enamel jewelry were in existence back then too. Knights of the four corners of the Earth back had swords and armor made up of various metals. Many women wore skirts and other forms of dress. Hats and turbans were used by many in Muslim communities during the Middle Ages. Many women and women during that time wore cloaks to play instruments like string instruments. There were the Cote Hardie dresses worn by women during the Middle Ages. Shoes back then were made up of leather. By the end of the Middle Ages, there were complex gowns worn by women. 

 

New Movements

When thinking about the 1400's, we see a massive amount of technological, social, and cultural changes. This century saw the Late Middle Ages, the Early Renaissance, and the early modern period. There were advanced banking, accounting, and new infrastructure. This era of human history saw a decisive French victory over the English in the Battle of Castillon. Financial troubles in England following the conflict resulted in the Wars of the Roses, a series of dynastic wars for the throne of England. The conflicts ended with the defeat of Richard III by Henry VII at the Battle of Bosworth Field, establishing the Tudor dynasty in the later part of the century. Fashion by the 1400's was heavily divided based on class. Many super-wealthy human beings in Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, Australia, and the Americas had luxury textiles, elaborate dagging, and personal emblems. Nobles, commoners, and other people of the poor plus middle class wore different styles of clothing. Back then, many women wore the linen called chemise. There were silk skirts and gowns that many women wore back then. One of the most important accessories worn by women during the 15th century were headdresses. There were two types called the bourrelet and the wired veil. Both had a hairstyle too. Many headdresses had jewelry on them. Many men back then wore woolen tunics and various capes. The doublet or pourpoint (from the French verb pourpoincter, to pierce through or quilt) had already replaced the loose-fitting, knee-length tunic for upper-class men in the mid-1300s (Van Buren and Wieck 314). Knights wore armor and the doublet. Many people wore a variety of colors on their clothing to make political statements, denote class, and represent royalty. Gold necklaces were worn by men and women. Tons of people wore pointy shoes too. 

Global Shaping Styles

By the mid to late 1400's, fashion saw massive innovations. Some laws tried to regulate clothing, but some people loved to express modest and more liberal styles of fashion. There were linen headdresses used in Italy, France, the UK, Flemish areas, and other locations of the world. Many women by this time wore large feathers on top of their heads. Many people wore garments and other clothes divided up into various pieces. For example, some women wore a linen veil to cover the hair, the visible camisia or shirt under the dress, the gown, gold embroidery, and a red lacing cord. Many people wore necklaces and black robes. There were elaborate hats in the 1400's like the cylindrical hat and various rolls. Wealthier women wore robes and soft, round caps. By the 15th century, global trade existed. We also saw massive changes in the world. There was the Byzantine Empire (or the Eastern Roman Empire) fell to the Muslim Ottoman Empire. The capital city of the Byzantine Empire was the city of Constantinople which was home to many Orthodox monks. Many of these monks spread their information to Italy and other places of Europe that later led to the Renaissance and ironically to the Reformation. The Greek scholars migrated many texts to Italy and Johannes Gutenberg made the mechanical movable type increasing the spread of the printing press globally. This time saw the start of Christopher Columbus being a sick war criminal in the Americas (along with the European voyages in the Americas resulting in the European colonization of the Americas), the start of the evil Maafa (or the European slave trade), and the Hussites movement (that once again inspired the start of the Reformation). The spread of Islam increased in Africa, Asia, and other locations. In Africa, the Christian kingdom of Nubia ended, and the Alodia Kingdom remained. We saw the Aztec Empire and the Inca Empire reached its peak of influence. 

Conclusion

The fashion culture of the Middle Ages was very diverse. It started after the end of major empires in the world like the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire lasted from ca. 27 B.C. to 476 A.D. when the city was overrun by Odoacer, a Germanic war leader. There were many factors why the Roman Empire fell like invasions (from the Vandals, Ostrogoths, the Huns, etc., internal corruption, political struggles, the empire overspent on the military, there was a decline in tax revenue, climate disasters, division of the Roman Empire (between Emperors Diocletian and Constantine), and religious changes (as Christianity grew while the Roman Empire's polytheism declined). The Middle saw warring empires in Europe and flourishing cultures in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania from the Frankish kingdoms to the civilization of Songhai. Mass migration of people existed like the Mongols traveling from Mongolia to Europe. The Turks migrated from Central Asia to Turkey too. There was an expansion of trade routes like the Silk Road bringing spices, gold, and other resources globally too. There were the Crusades and competition plus wars among European dynasties and Muslim empires. This caused a diffusion of culture like mathematics, calligraphy, science, and other modes of learning across the world. In Spain during the Middle Ages, Muslims and Christians traded with each other for centuries in dealing with cultures. Fashion in the Middle Ages became more specialized and complex. People went from wearing tunics to robes with high-quality fabrics. Many women wore elaborate headdresses and gowns. Military people wore metal armor and a wide spectrum of swords too. Fashion back then was based on class, wealth, gender, religion, and other categories in the human race. 

By Timothy